media bytes for monday, march 31, 2008

Monday, March 31, 2008 by SDRadio.

Welcome to SDRadio for Monday, March 31, 2008

WGN AM 720 icon Wally Phillips (pictured) passed away last week. San Diego 1700’s Mark Larson did an on-air tribute to the radio legend. Wally’s radio career had an influence on Mark… hear it here, select the podcast marked “Wally Phillips Tribute”.

Padres regular season play begins today, and again XX Sports Radio 1090AM and 105.7FM have the exclusive radio broadcasts. This year there’s the added partnership with sister station “San Diego 1700AM” (which changed from financial talk to news/talk last fall). XX provides sports updates for 1700, and there’s news/talk features from 1700 on XX. In recent days SD1700 has carried selected Padres pre-season and NCAA finals action to assist XX Sports. Expect more of this new, unique partnership to expand this season. Mark Larson will also broadcast several special shows from Petco Park in the coming months.

FAIR AND BALANCED: San Diego 1700 is enhancing its “Both Sides, Now” theme with Mark in the mornings on the right and Stacy Taylor, afternoons from the left. Mark is doing more national shows, guest-hosting for Mike Reagan, while Stacy fills in for Randi Rhodes and Lionel. No other station is offering such a diverse mix of viewpoints in San Diego.

Play Ball: Padres start their quest for the 2008 season tonight at the park in San Diego. Hear all the coverage on XX Sports at 1090 AM and 105.7 FM. Espanol can be heard on XEMO-AM 860.

Coming back for his second year is Andy Masur. The former Cubs announcer fit in — quickly — in the broadcast booth. Also returning is Jerry Coleman and Friar Ted Leitner. Ted and Andy will work the first three innings. Jerry will call the fourth inning, and then work the fifth with Andy, and the sixth with Ted (what did you do today, Jerry?).

XEMO-AM La Poderosa is the exclusive Spanish-language broadcast home of the Padres. These broadcasts are geared toward both sides of the border for the Latino community. La Poderosa means “the powerful one”.

Former KyXy morning newsman John Q. Lawrence writes at Radio-Info about his dismissal from the morning show and his “new” position. John posted over the weekend: “I can assure you producing the public affairs show isn’t going to make the mortgage payment. It ‘is’ a welcome supplement though and I’m happy I was given the option.”

Clear Channel Communications is charting unknown waters. The corporate plan to go private has hit several speed bumps on the way, and last week’s tidal wave of bad news probably killed the plan. The multi-billion dollar deal was in trouble when the leading banks withheld their financing for the buy out.

Clear Channel Communications with Thomas H. Lee Partners and Bain Capital Partners LLC filed complaints in court in Texas. So far a judge has favored the buy out proposal, but the banks have not moved forward.

Mark Austerman, operator of Michigan Radio Guide writes: “Behind all the recent financial wrangling and lawsuits that are trying to salvage funding for the biggest radio deal ever, there are thousands of Clear Channel employees wondering what their futures hold no matter what the final outcome is. The market value of the company took a severe hit this week in light of the turmoil, and many industry insiders predict more cost cutting soon, possibly along with the sale of more of the company’s radio stations in small and medium markets.

“With all the bad news seemingly throughout the radio industry, one thing has become clear — a career in radio is no longer more glamorous or secure than any other job. At least for now, choosing a career in radio requires a strong constitution and an even greater love of the work itself than ever before.”

Stay Tuned.

Spring has come and it’s time to plant the garden for summer and fall! Receive tailor made advice from local experts via the Garden Compass. The show is heard here on San Diego 1700 on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Hosted by Bryan Main along with garden experts Bruce Asakawa, Sharon Asakawa and John Bagnasco, the Garden Compass radio program gives advice not only for San Diego and California, but also for the adjacent states.

Chris Cantore checks in: “I’ve posted NEW podcasts/blogs/videos via www.chriscantore.com. Chris writes that “updates include… cantore.podcast: “episode six — not the easter bunny.” An unexpected (supernatural) guest visits my son?”

Chris also hints at a big announcement and other great info. See his website for more info.

Old Rumors continue to resurface that an oldies format might be coming to San Diego. Is this a Stay Tuned item or more bunting for a format change?

Thank you for making SDRadio part of your broadcast day. See YOU on the radio today and here later in the broadcast week!!

Play Ball!

HDRadio heard in San Diego as of March 2008

Slated: FM 94/9 and KiFM (Lincoln Financial Media). AM stations, under the IBOC standard, cannot use multicasting services. Original table courtesy of Society of Broadcast Engineers Chapter 36, modified as stations come on air. Stay digitally tuned. 2 October 2007

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